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Pasta Fazul
While there are a lot of versions of Pasta Fazul, I prefer this simple version. It is quick to put together and very satisfying. Dice the bacon and add to a pot to cook and render out the fat. When the bacon is crisp, remove and set aside to garnish each serving. Add the smashed…
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Fast Beef Stew
Since I prepare roast beef ahead of time (https://mangiavita.com/2023/08/18/cooked-shredded-beef-prep/ ) and keep it in the freezer, this is one of the ways it can be used to make another full meal. Drizzle a little olive oil into a pot and saute the shallot and the garlic clove until softened. Add red wine and allow to…
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Carnitas Tacos
For this recipe, you can use this pork preparation (https://mangiavita.com/2023/08/17/pork-prep/ ) from your freezer stash, or roast the pork for this recipe specifically. Rinse the meat and place it into the pan then add more seasoning on top. Cover the pan with foil and roast in a 350 degree oven until the meat is well-cooked,…
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Fried Chicken
Making homemade fried foods can be messy and tricky, but I feel like homemade fried chicken can be worth the hassle. Here is how I tackle it: I typically only fry chicken tenders, and I usually cut them up so it is more like nuggets. So cut up your chicken tenders into 1 inch pieces…
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Ground Beef
In the past 10 years or so, I have begun doing our own ground beef for several reasons: Equipment This will require some special equipment, so that can be prohibitive. My preferred meat grinding machine is to use the Kitchen Aid with the stainless steel meat grinder attachment. We used the plastic one for years…
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Cooked Shredded Beef Prep
Similar to how I prepare pork (method here: https://mangiavita.com/2023/08/17/pork-prep/ ), I like having ready-to-go meat in my freezer at any given time. Sometimes the meat is raw, but it is faster to make a lot of meals if the meat is already cooked and just needs to be reheated. I buy large packs of beef…
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Pork Prep
I like having ready-to-go meat in my freezer at any given time. Sometimes the meat is raw, but it is faster to make a lot of meals if the meat is already cooked and just needs to be reheated. I buy large packs of pork meat from Costco, typically boneless spareribs are the easiest to…
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Ham
This is less a recipe and more the way I work with a cooked ham. Holiday hams are great but I often find they are way more than my family can eat in one sitting. Additionally, hams can go on great sales during the non-holiday season and I love to take advantage of a good…
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French Toast
Mix the eggs and milk together well in a measuring cup and strain through a small strainer into a shallow bowl, then mix in the vanilla and cinnamon. I do this to remove the stickier bits of the egg that can glob onto the bread. Heat a griddle pan on medium/low and melt about a…
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Pico De Gallo
This is my mom’s favorite salsa. Dice all of the ingredients, making sure to cut the jalapenos and scallions very small. Mix well, taste for seasoning and spice. Adjust if necessary.